Kapow Your Backyard: Mr. Freeze is Icy Hot

This is the second in a series of guest posts by Miellyn Fitzwater Barrows, entitled KAPOW Your Backyard. Hop on board as Miellyn embarks on various outdoor-living projects (and recipes) inspired by some of her favorite comic book characters.—Ed.

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Photo by Shaun Barrows. Image treatment by the Halftone iPhone App.

It’s spring and you’re ready to go outside again, but your outdoor space, like mine, has probably become a bit neglected and uninspiring through the winter. We both need to be rescued, so here’s the second in a series of ideas for an outdoor refresh, inspired by some of my favorite super heroes (and villains). Over the next few weeks, I’ll bring you projects and recipes for SUPER outdoor living.

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KAPOW Issue 2: MR. FREEZE IS ICY HOT

This is me just chillin’ as Mr. Freeze in my backyard in a snow globe.What? It’s artistic.Photo by Shaun Barrows. Photo-manipulation is courtesy of Digital Blush, who also happens to be my super talented sister.You can get your very own photo enhancement at her Etsy shop Digital Blush.

Mr. Freeze (aka Dr. Victor Fries) is scientist with a tragic back story who, thanks to a lab accident, has must stay cold to survive. Obviously he’s the expert on what’s cooler than cool, but he’s fictional so… you’re stuck with me. Not to worry, though. I can show you how to stay frosty with the sizzle of summer sneaking up on us, and you won’t even have to tangle with any super heroes.

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THE PROJECT

“The Sun Gets in Your Eyes”

—or—

“I Made the Shade”

The weather’s getting warm and you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. That’s great, except that those toasty rays of sun can not only threaten your beautiful epidermis, they can make you sweat. And as sexy as sweat sounds when they sing about it in songs, it’s just not good in person.

I’m sure you’ve seen the awesome little pop up tents they make for the beach. Why not get one for your yard? Set it up in a sunny corner, and fill it with some outdoor pillows for extra snugness. It’ll give you a nice little bit of shade and a good comfy place to read magazines and drink cocktails while pretending to be rich and famous. (If you are already rich and famous, good for you. We should hang out.)

On especially hot days, I like to set up our shop fan in the yard. String together a couple of extra long outdoor extension cords to make it reach your little nest. Just don’t forget to weigh down your pop tent with a few books first. We wouldn’t want that puppy to blow away. Special note: Please don’t do this if it’s raining. You might have your very own super villain lab accident on your hands, which is way less glam in practice.

E-Z UP® Sierra II Canopy from Walmart.com

It’s more than just you, you say? Well, for outdoor entertaining, you should consider a camping canopy or market tent. It would be great for backyard soirees of any size. They’re also big enough to set up furniture under, and voila, you have your own grassy living room. You might even be able to get these at your local drug store in my most favorite of all the sections: the seasonal aisle. I saw some at my local Rite Aid the other day. (I cannot tell you how handy these suckers are. I’ve used ours while working in the yard, to protect my hubby while he fixes our motorcycle, and to cover my booth at the craft fair.)

10′ X 12′ Rectangular Gazebo With Bar Shelffrom BrylaneHome.com

If you don’t have any trouble with commitment and you’re ready to do it up right, a gazebo might be the answer to your frosty dreams. You can get mosquito netting and sun shade accessories and make it into a little paradise right in your backyard. The one pictured above even has a bar! Sounds like the perfect spot to set up a hammock, a couch, a portable television… whatever you want, darling, it’s your fantasy.

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THE RECIPES

“Mrs. Freeze’s Mimosa Popsicles”

—and—

“Mr. Freeze’s Bloody Mary Popsicles”

The best way to serve a chilly beverage at a summer brunch? Rock solid.

Ingredients:

Any frequenter of brunch knows that you can’t have Mimosas without Bloody Marys so I bring you the…

BONUS RECIPE

Photo by me. Image treatment by the Halftone iPhone App.

Mr. Freeze’s Bloody Mary Popsicles

Makes 4

Ingredients:

2 cups cherry tomatoes (if you did Poison Ivy’s garden, you could use fresh-picked!)

2 pinches of sea salt

a dash of pepper

1 tbs horseradish

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

2 squeezes of sriracha sauce

1 tbs lemon juice

6 olives

2 oz vodka

1 tbs water

Blend tomatoes and salt in a blender until smooth. Combine pepper, horseradish, worcestershire sauce, sriracha, lemon juice, olives, vodka, and water in a small bowl. Add to tomatoes in the blender. Blend until completely combined. Pour into popsicle cups, place sticks, and freeze until frozen, approx. 24hours.

Miellyn Fitzwater Barrows

MIELLYN FITZWATER BARROWS (@miellynb) is a freelance writer, television producer, and crafty fashionista internet addict. She wrote the supernatural romance comedy interactive novel Strange Loves: Vampire Boyfriends (available on iTunes, Google Play, and Desura). Her work has been featured in a number of publications including Random House and Smart Pop Books anthologies, the Telegraph Newspaper, WiDGET (Women in Development (Games and Everything Tech)), Not For Tourists, Packed Suitcase, and on more than a dozen television networks such as National Geographic, Travel, and TLC. She is the inspiration agent and creative director at GORGEOUS ROBOT .